The cricketing world is buzzing with excitement as India prepares to face Australia in the first match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

However, the first-choice opener, Shubman Gill, is out due to Dengue illness, casting a cloud over Team India's opening partnership. With Gill out, the Indian team's management must decide who will begin the innings alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.

In this post, we will look at prospective Shubman Gill replacements and analyse the available possibilities.

The Shubman Gill Setback

Shubman Gill's absence from the squad due to Dengue illness is a major setback for India's World Cup campaign. Gill's strong success in 2023, when he scored 1230 runs in 20 innings at an average of 73.35, cemented his place in the opening combination with Rohit Sharma.

Ishan Kishan: The Favourite

Ishan Kishan, a left-handed batsman, has emerged as the front-runner to replace Gill's vacuum. While Gill's comeback is unavoidable once he recovers, Kishan has an opportunity to make an impression.

Kishan demonstrated his ODI skills with three consecutive half-centuries during the West Indies trip, and he scored an important 82 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023.

KL Rahul: The Experienced Alternative

Another plausible choice is KL Rahul, a talented batsman who has succeeded as an opener across all formats.

Despite the fact that he presently bats in the middle order, Rahul's expertise and adaptability might see him promoted to open if necessary. He previously filled in for Shikhar Dhawan in the 2019 World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav: The Unexpected

Suryakumar Yadav, while less likely, cannot be completely ruled out as a possible replacement. Although he isn't in the starting XI, his expertise as an opener in T20 cricket should earn him a spot against Australia.

Scenario of the Starting XI

If we imagine India's likely playing XI against Australia, we can see Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as openers, followed by Virat Kohli at number three. The middle order might be completed by Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya.

Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah might be in the bowling lineup.

With Shubman Gill out due to Dengue fever, India faces a difficult dilemma about the opening pair with Rohit Sharma. Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav are all distinct candidates, each with their own set of abilities.

As the cricketing world awaits Team India's formal announcement, the question remains: who will step up to the plate in Shubman Gill's absence and help India set the tone for their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium? The only way to know is to wait and see.